Defunct for decades, U.P. assembly revives its standing committees

The aim of the move is to increase people's participation in governance through public representatives; 30 standing committees constituted to advise ministers

- Umesh Raghuvanshi

LUCKNOW: After decades, the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has revived the tradition of having standing committees to advise ministers and ensure the participation of the people in governance through their public representatives.

The move is in line with the political philosophy of giving more power to the people and comes amid transformational changes being ushered in with the use of technology in the legislature.

Though the provision to have 30 standing committees of the legislature attached to important departments has been there in Schedule-3 of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha (speaker's directives), the committees failed to function as they were either not constituted or did not meet for decades.

After being constituted on September 26, 2024, more than half the 30 standing committees have held their meetings. The rest have been asked to meet at least once before March 31, 2025.

"Yes, we got the standing committees constituted. I spoke to every minister (heading the committees) personally and requested them to have a meeting of the standing committee of their department. As of now, 16 committees have held their meetings. As some of the ministers were busy with the Prayagraj Mahakumbh-2025, I have asked them to ensure that all the standing committees meet before March 31, 2025," said Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly speaker Satish Mahana over the phone.